Chilean producer with vineyards in Zapallar, Apalta and Marchigüe, a gravity handled Apalta cellar, and Carmenère led Purple Angel.
The producer
Montes Wines began with the crop harvested by Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray that became Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, then introduced Syrah to Chile. The producer owns vineyards in Zapallar, Apalta and Marchigüe, while its Apalta winery moves grapes, must and young wine by gravity rather than pumps. Purple Angel 2020 combines Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Aurelio Montes Jr heads the winemaking team in Apalta, and Montes wines are sold in more than 100 countries.
Known for
Carmenère and Chilean hillside wines
Notable facts
The winery was formally founded in 1988 under the name Discover Wines.
The Apalta winery moves grapes, must and young wine by gravity rather than pumps.
Purple Angel 2020 is 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot.
The story
Syrah On The Apalta Hills
In 1997, Aurelio Montes planted Syrah on the hills of Apalta and described the planting as a first for Chile. The move belonged to Montes's early hillside work, which was rare in South America. Apalta later became the site of the producer's winery in Colchagua Valley, inaugurated in December 2004. The episode brings together a named person, a grape and a slope, then ends at the cellar where grapes, must and young wine move by gravity rather than pumps.
Syrah On The Apalta Hills
In 1997, Aurelio Montes planted Syrah on the hills of Apalta and described the planting as a first for Chile. The move belonged to Montes's early hillside work, which was rare in South America. Apalta later became the site of the producer's winery in Colchagua Valley, inaugurated in December 2004. The episode brings together a named person, a grape and a slope, then ends at the cellar where grapes, must and young wine move by gravity rather than pumps.
From the atlas
Montes Wines
Chilean producer with vineyards in Zapallar, Apalta and Marchigüe, a gravity handled Apalta winery, and the Carmenère led Purple Angel 2020.
At A Glance
Producer
Montes Wines
Country
Chile
Winery
Apalta, Colchagua Valley
Vineyards
Zapallar, Apalta and Marchigüe
Key grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carmenère and Petit Verdot
Bottle
Purple Angel 2020
The Producer
The winery was formally founded in 1988 under the name Discover Wines. Montes introduced Syrah to Chile in 1993.
Aurelio Montes Jr now heads the winemaking team in Apalta. Montes wines are sold in more than 100 countries, while the producer owns vineyards in Zapallar, Apalta and Marchigüe.
Place
Pacific maritime influence gives Aconcagua Costa cool conditions for vine growth. Montes has vines in the new Zapallar D.O. within Aconcagua Costa and is the only winery with vines planted there.
The producer's other vineyards include Apalta and Marchigüe. Its Apalta winery is in Colchagua Valley, where grapes, must and young wine move through production by gravity.
Wines
The wines include Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère led red blends. Purple Angel 2020 combines 92% Carmenère with 8% Petit Verdot, bringing two grape varieties together in one bottle.
In The Glass
Purple Angel 2020 opens with ripe blackberry, plum and blueberry aromas. Its palate brings black and blue fruit, sweet spice, pink pepper, coffee and tobacco. The wine is balanced and silky, with a caramel like body and a very long finish. It is fleshy and concentrated, with fine grained tannins extending into a creamy finish, and drinks better from 2025.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Purple Angel 2020. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, with 70% in first use barrels and 30% in second and third use barrels. First use oak contributes more oak flavour and oxygen contact, while older barrels allow fruit and tannin to remain more visible. The bottle gives a concrete view of the producer's Carmenère and Petit Verdot blend alongside its cellar work.
Final Word
Montes Wines works with vines in the new Zapallar D.O., Apalta and Marchigüe, and moves wine through its Apalta cellar by gravity. Purple Angel 2020 is a Carmenère and Petit Verdot wine aged in French oak.